Arsenal told to Axe number 1 star and replace him with impressive Brighton star

Arsenal should sign Mathew Ryan from Brighton and Hove Albion this summer, according to former Middlesbrough, Fulham and Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Ryan helped Brighton to avoid relegation this campaign, keeping 10 clean sheets despite facing the fifth most shots on target in the league. Schwarzer thinks he would be perfect for Arsenal, given the club’s goalkeeping woes.

“I can see an Arsenal (as a suitor),” he told Optus Sports (via News). “It depends on who becomes manager. The word on the ground is (Mikel) Arteta is well in the mix.

“If he were to take over at Arsenal (with passing, attacking football). If that were the case, Maty would suit that down to the ground.”

Ryan has never really settled at a club since coming to Europe. He played for Club Brugge for two years, then joined Valencia, who sent him on loan to Genk, before he signed for Brighton last year. Nonetheless, the 26-year-old did a good job with his current club in his debut campaign.

Ryan’s ability to play accurate long passes and act as a sweeper for the defence would certainly fit well with Arsenal. If the club are replacing Petr Cech and David Ospina though, I’d expect them to go with someone a bit more established at the top level. As Schwarzer says, it probably largely depends on who becomes manager.

If Arsenal do want to sign Ryan, they need to move fast. The goalkeeper will go the World Cup with Australia this summer, after starting in the majority of their qualification matches. If there’s one thing that can send your transfer value skyrocketing, it’s the World Cup. It’s best to get in there before that happens.